London, UK - Fans of Netflix's biggest hit are heartbroken: the show's breakout star, of all people, will not be returning for the next season.

Bridgerton has been the talk of the town over the past year, and it's no wonder that the drama was recently named Netflix's most popular series.

Its second season, however, will be missing a good deal of star power.

On Friday, production company Shondaland announced that Regé-Jean Page (31), who was at the center of the first season as Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, will not be reprising his role.

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An article was shared on Bridgerton's social media accounts, written from the perspective of Bridgerton's official gossip columnist Lady Whistledown.

"While all eyes turn to Lord Anthony Bridgerton's search for a Viscountess, we say goodbye to Regé-Jean Page, who triumphantly played the Duke of Hastings," the mock-up said.

"We will miss Simon's presence on screen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family."

The actor now reached out to his fans on Instagram in a post that was both grateful for the opportunity and hopeful for the future success of the show.

His followers reacted in horror, hoping the post was a belated April Fool's joke.

Sadly not, as the Duke of Hastings really won't be back in the upcoming season.

For the fans of the Bridgerton book series, however, this news won't come as that much of a surprise.

After all, only the first of the nine volumes written by Julia Quinn deals with the love story between Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset.

In the second book, on which the upcoming season will be based, the focus is on Lord Anthony and his search for a suitable bride.

But there is a small consolation for all fans of the Duchess and the Duke of Hastings: young Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor, 25) should remain in the series for quite a while yet.